Thank you for that.
I am fortunate in having lived a life mainly without major difficulties and challenges so I tend to appreciate hymns that try to persuade me to get out and change the world a bit more resonant. Not that they actually get me to do that!
It is interesting how life experience impacts so much on how we view hymns/worship songs.
Yes; for me that song is just another reminder that other people have real faith in God while I just have a vague hope it's not a load of wishful thinking. Not particularly helpful therefore.
I've probably mentioned before that Be Still... brings me out in hives. I associate it, and the language it uses, especially in the final verse, with people thinking they could solve my problems by waving their hands on me while repeating clichés and exhibiting glossolalia, all the while writing cheques in God's name which bounced.
Not a song in our tradition, so I had a listen. OK chorus, unmemorable verses, unchallenging lyrics.
The song is based on Psalm 103. I don’t think the lyrics are supposed to be challenging; they are meant to be a comfort to those who are finding life (and faith) difficult. I see them through the lens of someone with manic-depression for whom every day is battle which I might not reach the end of. The verses are a prayer to God for sustenance through the hard times. They remind me of a time in my 20s when my depression was rock bottom, I was newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder and my father was dying and the only thing I could rely on was God. The daily struggle is echoed in the last verse about our death and meeting that with continuing faith. I often use the first verse as a prayer to start my day.
It is interesting how life experience impacts so much on how we view hymns/worship songs.
Yes, it is. And it’s one reason I try very hard—with more success at some times than others—to express my thoughts about hymns I don’t like in a way that’s more about me than about the hymn. It’s all very subjective, and life experiences very much come into play.
I was singing in the choir at a wedding today in Dunblane Cathedral, and the music was so nice it was worth sharing here:
Beforehand: Cantate Domino - Pitoni Come down, O Love divine - Harris
Hymns: Love divine, all loves excelling - Blaenwern Guide me, O thou great Jehovah - Cwm Rhondda
During the signing of the register*: Locus iste - Bruckner Ave verum - Mozart
* Before the wedding party left for the vestry, the minister said, "They're married in the sight of God, but now they must be married in the sight of HMRC".
Being the fifth Sunday in the month, 9 o'clock communion followed the BCP. We sang:
Christ Triumphant, Ever Reigning - GUITING POWER
There is a Higher Throne - HIGHER THRONE
At the Name of Jesus - CAMBERWELL
All my hope on God is founded (Michael) Faithful shepherd, feed me (Pastor Pastorum) Father, we adore you (words and music by Terrye Coelho) Forth in the peace of Christ we go (possibly Duke Street or Song 34)
Beforehand: sundry bits and pieces which slip my agèd memory, but which included a few movements from the Capriol Suite by Warlock, which brought back nice memories, as it was something David played quite often.
Coming in: Air from The Married Beau - Purcell
Going out: Symphony No 1: Finale - Vierne
Our offerings at St Pete's today weren't quite in the same league:
Lo, he comes with clouds descending - Helmsley (unseasonal but enjoyable) Jesus, stand among us - K*ndr*ck Jesus, where'er thy people meet - Wareham O let the Son of God enfold you - Spirit Song Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine - Blessèd Assurance (which imho makes far too many appearances on our hymn lists).
After the service today's organist played an approximation of the first of the Bach Eight Short Preludes.
Group service
All my hope on God is founded- Michael
Christians lift your hearts - Tantum Ergo
Just as I am- Saffron Walden
Tell out my soul- Woodlands
Praise God in the morning (Alan Price).
Ding, dong, the festive bells now chime* (Helen & Mark Johnson).
Here's a song, bursting out (Matt Redman & Alan Price).
Come on and dance with joy (Simon Parry).
Christmas Calypso* (Helen & Mark Johnson).
Wide and long and high and deep (Colin Pye).
* The theme of the week was "Christmas in August". We looked at the Nativity story, the church was suitable decorated with Christmas tree, stable scene, paper chains. After the service we had "Boxing Day lunch" with, among other goodies, cold turkey and pigs-in-blankets!
In Christ Alone I love you, Lord (All my life you have been faithful) O spread your wings of mercy over me (Holy overshadowing) I will offer up my life (Jesus, what can I give?)
O day of rest and gladness (Offertorium)
St Thomas Mass
Father of mercies in thy word (Southwell)
Alleluia sing to Jesus (Hydrofoil)
As the deer pants
Name of all majesty
Very good singing, the last one was really excellent.
Evensong (afternoonsong in practice)
Jerusalem the golden (Ewing)
O love that wilt not let me go ((St Margaret)
Lord of love whose name outshineth (Blaenwern)
The last one from 'The Sheet' had (rather good) lyrics previously unknown to me. It was written by a Welsh congregationalist I was told.
Despite putting the key of "Ewing" to the lowest one possible I still endured bestial howling on the top notes 😮
*FiF* = Forward-in-Faith, the traditionalist Anglo-Catholic part of the C of E, who won't accept the ministry of women priests and/or bishops.
There are a fair few Anglo-Catholic churches who do accept the ministry of ordained women (and who are often very inclusive in other areas IYSWIM), but not in KarlLB-land.
*FiF* = Forward-in-Faith, the traditionalist Anglo-Catholic part of the C of E, who won't accept the ministry of women priests and/or bishops.
There are a fair few Anglo-Catholic churches who do accept the ministry of ordained women (and who are often very inclusive in other areas IYSWIM), but not in KarlLB-land.
They tend to be my preference. They are rather thin on the ground around here.
We had:
Singing, we gladly worship the Lord together.
My Jesus, my Saviour, Lord, there is none like you.
Lord, teach me all your ways.
When I needed a neighbour, were you there, were you there
The Church is wherever God's people are praising
Not too bad a selection, though it could do with a solid hymn to anchor it. Pleased to see our minister has finally remembered metrical psalms exist, and I decided to re-record Lord, teach as the extant version was a little fast. GARELOCHSIDE, for those wondering.
I feel like MJMS would benefit from the attentions of a decent hymnist to write some more verses.
We had:
Singing, we gladly worship the Lord together.
My Jesus, my Saviour, Lord, there is none like you.
Lord, teach me all your ways.
When I needed a neighbour, were you there, were you there
The Church is wherever God's people are praising
Not too bad a selection, though it could do with a solid hymn to anchor it. Pleased to see our minister has finally remembered metrical psalms exist, and I decided to re-record Lord, teach as the extant version was a little fast. GARELOCHSIDE, for those wondering.
I feel like MJMS would benefit from the attentions of a decent hymnist to write some more verses.
Overjoyed to hear that WINAN is still getting an airing! Has such 70s hippy vibes for me.
Comments
I am fortunate in having lived a life mainly without major difficulties and challenges so I tend to appreciate hymns that try to persuade me to get out and change the world a bit more resonant. Not that they actually get me to do that!
Yes; for me that song is just another reminder that other people have real faith in God while I just have a vague hope it's not a load of wishful thinking. Not particularly helpful therefore.
I've probably mentioned before that Be Still... brings me out in hives. I associate it, and the language it uses, especially in the final verse, with people thinking they could solve my problems by waving their hands on me while repeating clichés and exhibiting glossolalia, all the while writing cheques in God's name which bounced.
Beforehand:
Cantate Domino - Pitoni
Come down, O Love divine - Harris
Hymns:
Love divine, all loves excelling - Blaenwern
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah - Cwm Rhondda
During the signing of the register*:
Locus iste - Bruckner
Ave verum - Mozart
* Before the wedding party left for the vestry, the minister said, "They're married in the sight of God, but now they must be married in the sight of HMRC".
Great is Thy faithfulness (Faithfulness)
The God of Abraham Praise (Leoni)
A New Commandment (Anon)
Abide with me (Eventide)
Alleluia - plainsong
Take our bread
Hail Redeemer, King Divine.
Christ Triumphant, Ever Reigning - GUITING POWER
There is a Higher Throne - HIGHER THRONE
At the Name of Jesus - CAMBERWELL
All my hope on God is founded (Michael)
Faithful shepherd, feed me (Pastor Pastorum)
Father, we adore you (words and music by Terrye Coelho)
Forth in the peace of Christ we go (possibly Duke Street or Song 34)
Good point - forgot to add it:
Beforehand: sundry bits and pieces which slip my agèd memory, but which included a few movements from the Capriol Suite by Warlock, which brought back nice memories, as it was something David played quite often.
Coming in: Air from The Married Beau - Purcell
Going out: Symphony No 1: Finale - Vierne
Our offerings at St Pete's today weren't quite in the same league:
Lo, he comes with clouds descending - Helmsley (unseasonal but enjoyable)
Jesus, stand among us - K*ndr*ck
Jesus, where'er thy people meet - Wareham
O let the Son of God enfold you - Spirit Song
Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine - Blessèd Assurance (which imho makes far too many appearances on our hymn lists).
After the service today's organist played an approximation of the first of the Bach Eight Short Preludes.
All my hope on God is founded- Michael
Christians lift your hearts - Tantum Ergo
Just as I am- Saffron Walden
Tell out my soul- Woodlands
Praise God in the morning (Alan Price).
Ding, dong, the festive bells now chime* (Helen & Mark Johnson).
Here's a song, bursting out (Matt Redman & Alan Price).
Come on and dance with joy (Simon Parry).
Christmas Calypso* (Helen & Mark Johnson).
Wide and long and high and deep (Colin Pye).
* The theme of the week was "Christmas in August". We looked at the Nativity story, the church was suitable decorated with Christmas tree, stable scene, paper chains. After the service we had "Boxing Day lunch" with, among other goodies, cold turkey and pigs-in-blankets!
God I wish there was a CofE church around here that wasn't FiF or evangelical.
We had:
In Christ Alone
I love you, Lord (All my life you have been faithful)
O spread your wings of mercy over me (Holy overshadowing)
I will offer up my life (Jesus, what can I give?)
O day of rest and gladness (Offertorium)
St Thomas Mass
Father of mercies in thy word (Southwell)
Alleluia sing to Jesus (Hydrofoil)
As the deer pants
Name of all majesty
Very good singing, the last one was really excellent.
Evensong (afternoonsong in practice)
Jerusalem the golden (Ewing)
O love that wilt not let me go ((St Margaret)
Lord of love whose name outshineth (Blaenwern)
The last one from 'The Sheet' had (rather good) lyrics previously unknown to me. It was written by a Welsh congregationalist I was told.
Despite putting the key of "Ewing" to the lowest one possible I still endured bestial howling on the top notes 😮
*FiF* = Forward-in-Faith, the traditionalist Anglo-Catholic part of the C of E, who won't accept the ministry of women priests and/or bishops.
There are a fair few Anglo-Catholic churches who do accept the ministry of ordained women (and who are often very inclusive in other areas IYSWIM), but not in KarlLB-land.
They tend to be my preference. They are rather thin on the ground around here.
Singing, we gladly worship the Lord together.
My Jesus, my Saviour, Lord, there is none like you.
Lord, teach me all your ways.
When I needed a neighbour, were you there, were you there
The Church is wherever God's people are praising
Not too bad a selection, though it could do with a solid hymn to anchor it. Pleased to see our minister has finally remembered metrical psalms exist, and I decided to re-record Lord, teach as the extant version was a little fast. GARELOCHSIDE, for those wondering.
I feel like MJMS would benefit from the attentions of a decent hymnist to write some more verses.
Overjoyed to hear that WINAN is still getting an airing! Has such 70s hippy vibes for me.
I see. Thank you. Not a particularly apt name, then...
“God of Great and God of Small”/GOD OF GREAT AND SMALL
“See Who Gathers at Christ’s Table”/COPELAND
“I’m Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table”
It has been suggested (by me,
inter alia) that it could be held also to stand for Fundies In Frocks.
🤣😂🤣😂
Sounds like the small church I was in last weekend where my companion had to restrain me from going to the loft to takeover ...
The King of Love my Shepherd Is
Ye Servants of the Lord
Praise my Soul the King of Heaven
Jerusalem the Golden
How do you feel about a move to Linlithgow? It's ever such a pretty little town ...
I'm afraid it becomes BiB for me - backwards in bigotry
Thanks
Spike
Ecclesiantics Host